Whisky Business

WHISKY BUSINESS

I consider myself extremely lucky. Not only do I now possess ownership of two top-tier Finnish whiskies but what makes this really interesting is the fact that the other one is no longer produced. A distiller's choice that is. 693 bottles and not a single one more.

Äes and Kaski, respectively

On the left, Äes (harrow), which continues the Finland series Kaski (slash-and-burn) first started. Äes is a whisky first matured seven years in bourbon casks after which it is put into small rum casks for another 1½ years. Kaski on the other hand is quite the different whisky having been matured in 100% sherry casks the whole time.

Lucky owner #476

The thing with Äes is that since it's not made anymore, I will not open the content at all. One could say I will safe-keep it for years to come, keep it in mint condition in my cabinet. Perhaps in a decade-or-two, who knows...(wow Cele, spending money on alcohol never being drunk!)

Kaski

With the Kaski I remember the first time I tried it. Being matured in sherry casks only, the taste was (is) very cognac-like! I kid you not; if one tries this without knowing it's a whisky, they can easily imagine this being an excellent quality cognac. It's a whisky I even got my oldest brother for Christmas last year. This bottle I might open up when appropriate but I think I'll keep it unopened as well for at least a while.

What makes things really interesting is the fact that these two products are Finnish made. One wouldn't think the Finns could distill such products.

If being honest, I can't wait for the next whisky in the series. This is my opportunity of being part of something very special.

Kicking ass and sampling whiskies...and I'm all out of whisky.

Kicking ass and sampling whiskies...and I'm all out of whisky.

Hello again! It's been quite a while since my last post and there's an excellent reason for it; personal laziness. For some reason I haven't found the inner inspiration for creating cocktails. May it be my new "life rhythm" (read: night shift) or something else but the art of cocktail mixing has been more of a "plan B" in my current life situation.

Nonetheless, my New Year's Resolution is going as intended. Yesterday I met a good friend of mine, with whom I went to sample some whiskies. Truth to be told, this activity is way more fun doing with someone rather than alone. Our samples were:

• Ballantines (blend)
• Ballantines 12yo (blend)
• Jameson (blend)
• Jameson 12yo (blend)

Without going too much into the details and one's preference with using water, I must say that I've never experienced a whisky turning worse after adding water to it! Now I have. The Jameson (blend), which in its essence was (is) a poor quality product. I do understand its use in the (in)famous Irish Coffee but as a whiskey it tanked, horribly. I must say the Jameson 12yo was quite the pleasant surprise!

Moving on forward! After our nice tasting we headed to the billiards/bowling alley. We first played a couple of friendly matches but then my bro suggested we should play a tournament:

"Best out of three in a game of billiards, bowling and air hockey."

"Challenge accepted."

(what the fudge should I hit next?)

How lucky skillfully I played and beat my friend 2-1 in billiards! (actually he lost 1-2, both games due to horrible fouls [1st one he touched the 8-ball and pocketed it (!) making my end-game an easy win] and the second game he pocketed the 8-ball and the cue ball both (in the wrong pocket as well)). The look on his face when facing defeat...priceless.

Second game, bowling. He beat the first game 108-89 (yeah we're not pros who knock out 300's as we please :D), I won the second game 83-121 and in the third and decisive game after the 10th frame he was leading me 100 to 91. I managed to knock down 8 pins on my first. Two pins left, one point behind. If I get both, I get a spare, an extra round and (likely) win. I didn't; I only managed to get one so the game was a tie, 100-100! So we played one extra round and I reigned supreme, winning the bowling game 100-123 and ultimately 1-2!

Finally, some air hockey. This is the game where the master would be decided. My friend won the first 9-8. I won the second game...something-9.

Final game. No space for any mistakes. He was leading 8-7 when I got to tie up the game. 8-8 and I had the puck. I could see him move his mallet left and right vigorously right in front of his goal. A well-timed and aimed diagonal shot, which ricochet straight in! Game-set-match!  

(Air hockey is serious business, I managed to get a burn (?) wound...??)

I beat my friend 3-0 in the tournament, leaving no questions who is the champion! (I am)

All in all, I had a great evening. Tasted some whiskies and got my mind off in a relaxing competitive great tournament playing with my friend.